GreenPower Motor Company has initiated the second year of its electric school bus pilot in New Mexico, deploying three Type D BEAST buses across rural districts after completing the Type A phase in May.
The expansion follows the completion of the first year, during which GreenPower’s engineering team operated three Nano BEAST buses in nine school districts. The vehicles traveled more than 17,000 miles and eliminated over two tons of CO₂ emissions, while achieving a maximum range of 132 miles on a single charge. Some buses operated multiple days without charging, though the pilot identified challenges related to electrical infrastructure in rural areas.
For the second year, GreenPower is focusing on Type D buses, with three units now deployed. Two buses will rotate across the state, while a third will be stationed in West Las Vegas for vehicle-to-grid testing during the 2026-2027 school year. The BEAST buses, certified by New Mexico after state inspection, are 40-foot Type D all-electric models with seating for up to 84 students. They support Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW and DC fast charging up to 85 kW, enabling a full charge in less than three hours.
GreenPower’s engineering team developed a cold-weather package in response to feedback on cabin heating and early morning charging issues. The upgrades include additional electric heaters and heated battery packs, while maintaining the buses’ zero-emission status to preserve eligibility for incentive funding. President Brendan Riley noted that unlike other solutions relying on non-electric heaters, GreenPower’s approach avoids compromising zero-emission certification.
